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DEJA VU |
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By : Suzanne Philips |
Movie Reviews List | |
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DEJA VU Written by: Bill Marsilii ( and Terry Rossio (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN TRILOGY) Directed by: Tony Scott (MAN ON FIRE) Starring: Denzel Washington, James Caviezel (PASSION OF THE CHRIST), Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg (DAZED AND CONFUSED) Rated PG-13 Running Time:2 hours 8 min. While in the process of investigating the explosion of a New Orleans-based ferry boat, ATF agent Doug Carlin (Washington) discovers the murder of a young woman Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton) might hold the key to the solution of the puzzle. While the trend in recent thrillers is to make the plot resolution so obvious that everyone has it figured out within the first 20 minutes, DEJA VU is a nice change of pace. The script is well written and contains lots of twists and turns and actually leaves the viewer with big issues to think about : time travel, spirituality, how one person's actions impact the lives of many. Denzel Washington is always good, and this film is no exception. We follow the story through his character's point of view and Washington has the ability to transmit what he is thinking with just a slight twitch of the face or very small movements. His timing is fantastic and he really shows some great range in this film. Director Tony Scott has assembled a fine cast for this film including Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg and Paula Patton, all of whom are outstanding and very believable in their roles. This is a Bruckheimer/Scott film so you know to expect that many things will blow up. You will not be disappointed with Deja Vu. I liked the way that Scott uses a variety of techniques to convey emotion not only thru the characters but with how he chooses to film and score scenes. There is a great scene when Carlin arrives at the scene of the ferry boat explosion and as he walks toward the chaos, Scott uses some slow motion shots as well as taking out all of the noise of the scene and replacing it with a classical movie score. This serves to show the horror and helplessness that many feel at the scene of a catastrophe in a much more effective way than all the sirens and screaming histrionics of many other films. The film does drag in a couple of places, but, the film is so interesting and holds interest so well that you can forgive them. DEJA VU is a nice popcorn thriller film that leaves the viewer with something to think about once he or she leaves the theatre. 4 1/2 out of 5 |
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